Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium has attended the session of the first round of the well-known Queen Elisabeth Competition at Flagey in Brussels. The Queen was accompanied by her youngest son, Prince Emmanuel.

This afternoon Queen Mathilde and her son, Prince Emmanuel arrived at Flagey in Brussels to see the first round of the Queen Elisabeth Competiton 2018. Her Majesty the Queen is patron of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.

From the 1st of May until 12 May, 55 singers from 18 different nationalities will take part in the competition. This competition is for musicians who have completed their training and who are ready to embark upon an international career. Each year the Queen Elizabeth Competition is about a different discipline. This year it is singing; in 2019 it will be the violin, in 2020 the piano and in 2021 the cello.

The Queen Elisabeth Competition was founded in 1937 by Queen Elisabeth of Belgium and the famous Belgian violist and componist, Eugène Ysaÿe. Over the years the Queen Elisabeth Competition has grown to be one of the most important music competitions in the world. The jury of the competition exists of prestigious musicians and internationally renowned pedagogues.

After the death of Queen Elisabeth in 1965, Queen Fabiola of the Belgians took over the patronship. Queen Fabiola prepared the then Princess Mathilde to take over her role one day. Ever since Queen Mathilde became Queen she has been the new patron of the competition.

Queen Mathilde usually attends a few sessions and the grand finale of the competition. She normally brings along one of her children to the performances.

Queen Mathilde will also attend the semi-finals on 4 and 5 May. The Queen will be accompanied by King Philippe while attending the finale at the Palace of Fine Arts on 10 and 12 May. On the 9th of May, the King and Queen will host a lunch for the jury of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. Prince Laurent and Princess Claire will also attend a session of the finale on 11 May.

Queen Mathilde will traditionally hand out the prizes to the laureates at the Music Chapel Queen Elisabeth at Argenteuil.